Joanne Liu

Joanne Jishung Liu, known as “JJ,” is a Taiwanese professional poker player, real estate investor, developer, and entrepreneur. Born on April 10th, 1965, in Taipei, Taiwan, she currently resides in Palo Alto, California. Throughout her career, Liu has earned nearly $4 million in tournament winnings and has won two WSOP Circuit rings. In 2006, she gained recognition by winning WPT Ladies Night IV. Joanne never fails to stand out in a crowd, both for her skill and the unique hats that she wears.

Her best live cash was achieved in 2007 when she earned $600,000 for finishing second at the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Stars event. In 2012, she was inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame. Currently, Liu ranks ninth on the Women’s All-Time Money List and third on Taiwan’s All-Time Money List.

Joanne Liu: Early Life

Joanne Jishung Liu was born on April 10th, 1965, in Taipei, Taiwan. She attended Ming Chuan College before relocating to Peoria, Illinois, in 1985. There, she earned a master’s degree in computer engineering from Bradley University. After finishing her education, she began her career as a software engineer in Silicon Valley. It was during this time that she discovered her talent for poker. She started playing in 1996 after settling in Northern California.

Her interest in the game deepened when she visited Bay 101 Casino in San Jose. Recognizing that poker was the only game with the potential for long-term profits, she decided to pursue it as a part-time career. Eventually, her success in poker prompted her to leave her engineering job in 2004 and dedicate herself to the game full-time. As a native Mandarin speaker, she attributes her poker success to strategies from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. Liu aims to promote poker in the Chinese-speaking world. She plans to conduct seminars once Texas Hold’em is introduced in East and Southeast Asia.

Joanne Liu: Live Tournament Participation

Joanne Liu’s first live cash was recorded in May 1996. She participated in a $3,000 Limit Hold’em event at the 27th WSOP in Las Vegas. Liu placed 4th and earned $32,565. 

After several years, in June 2003, she competed in a $800 No Limit Hold’em Deep Stack Bracelet Event at the 54th WSOP. Liu finished 4th and took home $140,442. 

Two years later, in December 2005, she played in a $15,000 + 300 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the Fourth Annual Five Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas. Joanne placed 4th and secured $362,140 in prize money.

In August 2006, she won the WPT Ladies Night IV at the 2006 Legends of Poker in Bell Gardens, Los Angeles, taking 1st place in the No Limit Hold’em event and earning $25,500. 

Liu achieved her best live cash in March 2007. She took part in a $9,600 + 400 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event at the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star in San Jose. She finished 2nd and cashed for $600,000.

In November 2008, she won the $2,400 + 100 No Limit Hold’em event at the Deep Stack Extravaganza IV in Las Vegas, finishing 1st and winning $167,283. 

Fast forward to May 2014, Liu won the HK$100,000 No Limit Hold’em High Roller at the Asia Pacific Poker Tour in Macau, claiming 1st place and winning $183,135. 

In a recent appearance, in August 2024, she entered in a $75 + 25 No Limit Hold’em Turbo Bounty at the 2024 South Point Recurring Tournaments in Las Vegas. Joanne finished 7th and pocketed $193. 

Liu’s WSOP Circuit Rings Won Online

Joanne Liu claimed her first WSOP Circuit Ring in an ONLINE Ring Event in January 2023. She participated in a $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller 8-Max event. Liu finished in first place, earning $35,814.

In September 2023, Liu captured her second WSOP Circuit Ring by competing in a $320 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Max ONLINE event at the WSOP Circuit. She again finished in first place, winning $30,282.

Liu Purchases Rosati’s Pizza Franchise In 2020

Liu purchased a full-service Rosati’s Pizza franchise in January 2020. The franchise featured Rosati’s largest restaurant concept, a Sports Pub with a dining room and bar, enhancing the local business community in Braselton, Georgia, where Liu was already active in real estate investment and development. 

With over 200 locations nationwide, Rosati’s offered a strong franchise model that Liu valued given her extensive experience in franchising. Instead of leasing, she constructed a custom building to house her franchise and other businesses, strategically located at the busy intersection of Spout Springs Road and Friendship Road for optimal visibility and accessibility.

Where is JJ Right Now?

Liu is currently thriving as a hotelier after purchasing the Bristol Arcadia Inn in Virginia in January 2021, following her visit to the area in November 2020. Liu saw a strategic opportunity in Bristol, known for its rich musical heritage and proximity to Bristol Motor Speedway, especially with the recent approval for a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino nearby, which is expected to attract many visitors. Emphasizing community, she retained much of the former staff and appreciates the loyal workforce.

While Liu had been a steady presence in poker for more than two decades, her focus shifted to managing her hotel, where she enjoyed the beauty of Virginia, particularly during the summer months.

Conclusion

Joanne “JJ” Liu is celebrated as one of the best female poker players, with nearly $4 million in tournament winnings and two WSOP Circuit rings. Currently thriving as a hotelier at the Bristol Arcadia Inn in Virginia, she continues to inspire many with her remarkable achievements in both poker and various business ventures.